Update November 6, 2014Keeping Argentina dancing the tangoHow one Argentine university is to produce the country's first home-grownbandoneon, the concertina musical instrument essential for tangoperformances.Read more:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29896409

The study bandoneon "Pichuco", developed at the National University of Lanús (UNLa), is ready to start being industrialized at almost ten times lower than in Europe.

The essential tool for music and culture that represents Argentina was "on the verge of extinction" can be manufactured in the country, according to the project managers indicated that began to take shape in 2009.

The idea of teachers in the career of Industrial Design house of higher learning there is formed cooperatives to develop the country and export the beloved instrument that bears the name a tribute to the great bandoneon player Aníbal Troilo.

"Pichuco" conceived by their mentors to be produced by local cooperative and be introduced in every school in the country.

Is that the "soul of the tango" is in crisis since the manufacture of accordions is scarce, so the instrument is very expensive, while the prestigious "double A" not manufactured in Germany since the 50s. Today it sells in euros and 5,000 euros. "

Ruscuti Andres, head of the Department of Technology Linking UNLa, explained that "the original idea was to put one bandeneón popular disposnción study."

"So the challenge this year is that 'Pichuco' alive, copper social weight and start being produced serially through a cooperative network of municidpio of Lanús," he said told the newspaper Tiempo Argentino.

Guillermo Andrade, one of the project leaders, said it intends to "forge a cooperative network in the area, which ensures that the nation's schools a Pichuco" educational unit ".

"Pichuco" which from the start had among its pioneers Ana Jaramillo, rector of UNLa, passionate tango Cultist, bandeneonista and member of the National Tango Academy, won first prize in the Industrial Design of the 2012 edition National Contest Innocaciones Innovate, organiado by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation of Argentina.

DANCING MAKES YOU SMARTERThe 21 year study of senior citizens, 75 and older, was led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, funded by the National Institute on Aging and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.% = Reduced Risk of Dementia0% in Bicycling, swimming or playing gold35% in Reading47% in Doing crossword puzzles at least four days a week78% in Dancing FrequentlyDancing - Reduces stress and depression- Increases energy and serotonin- Improves flexibility, strength, balance, endurance- Strengthens bones and boosts cardiovascular health- Increases mental capacity by exercising our cognitive processes- Dynamic and rapid-fire decision making, creates new neural pathsCelebrate Life Through Dance!

Also, Tango slows down the progression of Parkinson's desease. It even has more effect than ballroom dancing or Tai Chi. See the article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2780534/figure/F1/

Reply

Barbara Veres

4/6/2017 02:18:35 pm

Hi Louis,

I thought I'd reply to your blog. I've seenThe benefits of dancing that you listed in the Dr. Oz magazine. Here is what we list as the benefits of square dancing in our publicity campaigns, which, by the way, do not work, because young people could care less. We made sure our three daughters learned how to square dance, and they went to the festivals with us. As adults, they wouldn't be caught dead.

Too many Americans are overweight, stressed out, and have very little fun. Square dancing is an activity that addresses these three issues. It is America’s best kept secret. It is not the square dancing you learned in elementary or junior high. It’s good for mind and body. With all its moving, twisting, and turning, square dancing provides more than the daily dose of heart- and bone-healthy physical activity. Remembering all the calls -- from "do-si-do" to 'alemand' -- keeps the mind sharp, potentially staving off age-related memory loss, experts say. And the companionship that regular square dancing offers is an antidote to depression and loneliness. According to a 1994 Mayo Health Care Clinic Health Letter, “in one study researchers attached pedometers to square dancers and found that each person covered five miles in a single evening.” People want to exercise more but find it difficult to motivate themselves. Square dancing combines fun, socializing, making friends, and exercise.